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After reading through the replies to DaveAuld's post from yesterday[^], specifically the comments about QA, I started wondering if we might be better off embracing the homework questions in a new way.

I don't see the rate of homework questions declining in the future, so what if there was a separate QA area specifically for them?
A QA area dedicated to answering basic questions from students that need a different explanation than what they got from their teacher. I know this already happens, but the noise level in QA is so high that a great answer to a question might not be found by other students with the same problem.
There are many dedicated members that do a great job of answering questions in QA every day, but I know there are other very qualified members that don't want to deal with the current format.

Let me be clear. I am not saying we should do their homework for them. In fact I think there should be a report option specifically for that, so those questions can be kicked back without even having to post a message to explain that. Couple that with the ability for Protectors to move questions from one area to another.

I am not claiming this is an optimal solution, but do you think something like that would make for a better or worse QA experience?

[*Zips up fireproof suit and grabs a bottle of water*]
Soren Madsen

"When you don't know what you're doing it's best to do it quickly" - Jase #DuckDynasty

Online chat is a terrible idea. Who, exactly, would you connect to? Bear in mind that the people who answer questions are volunteers, and that this site is frequented by people from all round the world, the chances of you connecting to the person who is able, and has the time to work through the problem, is tiny.

My idea for the online chat was not for the QA. It was more for the Lounge and The weird and Wonderful. For sharing more interesting articles and other things. With my expierience irc is a really good time filler.
And yet again this idea may not be as good as it sounded inside my head.

I fail to see what online chat would bring over posting to the forums. Part of the problem is that the very nature of chat moves away from the idea of giving considered opinion and is best suited to things that don't need to survive after the chat session ends.